PH Research and Education Act Gets a Wave of Congressional Support

January 2012 — Thanks to the hard work of several PH advocates, the following Members of Congress became official co-sponsors of the PH Research and Education Act in the new year:

Rep. Elijah Cummings (MD-7)

Rep. Steven LaTourette (OH-14)

Rep. Todd Platts (PA-19)

Rep. David Price (NC-4)

Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-17)

Rep. Louise Slaughter (NY-28)

The following have expressed interest in co-sponsoring and are waiting for their names to be added to the bill:

Rep. Jason Altmire (PA-4)

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (IL-2)

Rep. Gregory Meeks (NY-6)

Rep Michael Michaud (ME-2)

Rep. Chris Murphy (PA-18)

Each of these representatives took action because advocates shared their PH experience requested co-sponsorship of a bill that will improve their lives. According to Sara Mabry, the Legislative Aide to Senator Robert Casey, sometimes the easiest way to get a Member of Congress to cosponsor the PH Research and Education Act is to simply ask them to do so, “There are literally tens of thousands of bills introduced each Congress. The easiest way to figure out which ones we need to pay attention to is by looking at the mail we’re getting and the requests constituents make. If someone took the time to write or visit about a bill, then that means it’s important to them,” says Sara.

The PH Research and Education Act is the only bill in Congress that is solely focused on improving the lives of PH patients. The bill would increase PH education and awareness for the public and medical professionals, and also encourage collaboration amongst PH researchers working to create the newest PH treatments and, one day, a cure.

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